Assignment 1: Discussion—Providing Intervention for Addiction

According to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 22 million Americans over age 12 reportedly use illicit drugs. This figure accounts for almost 10 percent of the population in that age group (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2010).

As a result, counselors commonly work with clients who are affected by drug and alcohol abuse. Some providers choose to specialize in addiction prevention or treatment. In either case, counselors need to have at least a basic understanding of addiction so they can effectively work with addicted clients or affected family members of addicted persons.

Denial is a strong feature in addiction. Typically, clients are in denial regarding the severity of their use, their level of addiction, and consequent effects on themselves and their families. As a result, interventions have become a popular method of beginning treatment for addiction. Interventions involve a large group of people close to the client, such as family and friends, to meet with the client and a substance abuse treatment provider to help the client realize the severity of his or her situation and condition and to convince the client to seek treatment (SAMHSA, 2010).

After reading about addiction in your textbook and lecture notes,  discuss the following in a minimum of  200 words:

• What are the common problem behaviors and physical symptoms that frequently lead a person to seek help overcoming their addiction?
• What are the common difficulties that families of addicts face as a result of the addict’s behavior and symptoms?
• Based on what you read which treatment strategies do you think you would be most comfortable using with your clients and why?.